TOPSHAM

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, State and Topsham Police recovered a military training device Wednesday that resembled a bazooka shell, found beside the parking lot of a condo project in Topsham.

The incident resulted in residents of more than a dozen condominiums being asked to stay in their homes for several hours. The lockdown took place while crews retrieved the device, which was found by a person walking in the area in the late afternoon.

The State Police bomb team retrieved the object and found it was safe, according to Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

The device was found late Wednesday afternoon. Residents of more than a dozen Merrymeeting Commons Condominiums off Munroe Lane were asked to not leave their homes for several hours last night while crews retrieved the device.

The nearly two-foot-long shell resembles a real bazooka shell and was used by the military for training. It was never explosive, McCausland said.

The bomb team took the device to Crooker Construction, located about a half mile away, to be examined between piles of gravel. The team used its remote controlled robot to remove the device, which was then transported in a specially-built trailer.

It was nearly midnight before they cleared the area after determining the bazooka-look-alike was not a threat.

Fire marshals suspect the device may have been left aside the parking lot by someone who didn’t know what to do with it.

Investigators encouraged the public to call police whenever they find a suspicious looking object, so that it may be properly disposed of.

Topsham Fire Chief Brian Stockdale said Topsham firefighters responded to block the road off where police were working, as well as to provide medical support if needed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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